Okay dolls, we know you’ve heard this one before: “Laughter is the best medicine.” It turns out, this isn’t an old wives’ tale, it’s actually a scientific fact.
Laughter decreases stress hormones, and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. It also releases endorphins (aka your feel-good chemicals). Laughing even burns calories, which is something all goddesses can get behind.
Laughter also is said to help strengthen relationships, diffuse conflict, and promote group bonding, which is something the dolls can definitely confirm. When Caitlin and Danielle went to see NYC-based comedian Jared Freid at Zanies on April 26th, there was such a sense of community in the room. Strangers were laughing together, people were buying each other drinks, and friends were being made. Jared’s set truly brought everyone together.
Jared is an East Coast guy through and through. He jumped from Massachusetts, to Pennsylvania for college, before finally ending up in NYC. When he’s not reviewing the dolls’ favorite rom-coms on his Instagram, Jared hosts the popular podcast The JTrain Podcast and co-hosts the U Up? podcast created by Betches. Both are comedy based, and both will have you adding at least a few minutes to your life span (since another benefit of frequent laughter is a longer life span).
If you want to hear him live, and not just through your headphones, Jared has some upcoming shows at Stand Up NYC. C + D can attest that his hilarious facial expressions and demonstrations of how bad he looks when posing for pictures had everyone crying with laughter, and is definitely worth seeing if you can snag a ticket to his show.
When doing a mini Q&A with Jared, the dolls asked some of their most pressing questions. When asked what his spirit animal was, Jared’s answer was: “My spirit animal is drinking wine alone at dinner…oh, or a koala, because they sleep for 20 hours a day and like to just hang out.”
Comedy aside, one of his answers resonated with C + D. When they asked what era he would time travel back to, he said, “I think we’re living in the best era. There’s no time like the present.”
The Dolls feel a connection with Jared’s life path. He left a traditional job for something a bit less traditional: stand-up comedy. The same way C + D felt the pull to share their thoughts with the world, Jared felt the pull to share his humor. “The best I felt was making my friends laugh…so, I decided to do something that would make me feel that good on a daily basis,” Jared said when interviewed by The Interro Bang. Not only does Jared feel good when performing, he is actually improving the health of everyone who’s listening.
If you need to bring some extra laughter in your life, here are some suggestions:
- Spend time with fun people (like your best Doll) who always find a way to bring out your playful mood
- Bring humor into your daily convos, like asking people what the funniest part of their day was
- Organize a night out with your BFFs at a comedy club
- Go to a laughter yoga class (seriously, these exist!)
- Watch a funny TV show or listen to a comedy podcast (like The JTrain Podcast)
With all of the benefits of laughter, goddesses everywhere now have an excuse to not take life so seriously. This doesn’t just mean adding “LOL” to the end of every text. Focusing on the sunny side of things, and finding the humor in all situations, will only lead to a happier, healthier you.
This post was written and photographed by Lexi Wheeler, Dollhouse intern and student at Columbia College in Chicago.
Laughter is definitely the best medicine, love this!
Great post! I always try to bring more laughter to my life by using the right attitude, and it also good to surround yourself with positive people. Laugh, laugh, laugh… )
Laughter IS the best medicine!
I want to take a laughter yoga class! That sounds so fun!!! Great ideas 🙂
Asking people what the funniest part of their day is such a great tip, I just did it with my sister and she walked into a puddle getting wet up to her ankle
I always try to bring humor into my everyday life. That is such a good idea to ask people what their funniest moment of the day was.
Laughter truly is the greatest thing! I think a little happiness and laughter in every day keeps me young
Haha, I was going to say! That’s not a spirit animal 😉
If you ever see me, you would know that I am always laughing. It just makes life so much more enjoyable 🙂
Nice post, my son and I were just talking about this today. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. We should all laugh more and take a load off.
OK, so I’m going to be a little controversial here and dare to say… I don’t like stand-up. My husband and friends love it however and I’m often dragged to shows. Occasionally someone surprises me and I have to swallow my pride and say it was funny 😉 Jared might be my man, after all I think my spirit animal might be a koala too.
I have some very comedic friends. They always put me in a good mood.
Laughter is the best! I’ve always wanted to take a laughter yoga but worried I’d feel unnatural but then watching everyone would get people laughing naturally I guess.
Laughter is medicine to all the ills of the human being
It truly is! I honestly had no idea that laughter yoga classes existed, how fun!
xo, Sondra
Cusineandtravel.com
I try not to take things too seriously, but a few extra laughs in my day would certainly be a welcome benefit. Loving these tips for getting a few more smiles in my day. Any excuse to go out with friends is a good one!
I have never heard of laughter yoga but that totally sounds like a class I would love. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
To bring more laughter surely trying your suggetions in daily life. Bring a smile on someone’s face is a greatest humble cause, not everyone is blessed with great sense of humor so we should try some activities to have more happiness in our life.
Laughter can change your whole mood. My husband loves stand up comedy but I prefer a funny mood when I need a laugh.
There is no better feeling than after spending some quality time with friends, laughing! I am overdue for some medicine!